Labour is demanding that Nicola Sturgeon steps-in to stop a radical shake-up of health visitor services that could put new mothers and vulnerable children at risk.

More than 400 GPs have called on her to halt the plans, which are being considered by NHS Greater Glasgow, to integrate health visitors with the social work service.

Labour Health Spokesman, Dr Richard Simpson, said:

"I have been monitoring this situation over the past three months with growing concern. Children in vulnerable families need a comprehensive and integrated support system, but the changes proposed by Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board are foolhardy.

"They will mean a significant, and potentially dangerous, loss of service to many young mothers. For example, it is proposed that universal assessment and monitoring of new mothers will end after eight weeks, when we know that the peak incidence of post-natal depression isn't until 12 weeks.

"For Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board to consider breaking, or even weakening,  the links General Practice and Health Visitors have built up over 30 years is simply unacceptable.

"There is not enough evidence to justify such wholesale changes and it is particularly concerning that health care professionals feel their criticisms are being ignored.

"It looks like yet another situation where the Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, seems to be either unaware of problems or complacently hoping everything will turn out okay."

20/7/8